Klajdi Musabelliu is one of the 28 singers selected to take part in the 53rd Festivali i Kenges, the Albanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.He is no stranger to Eurovision, as he was the backing singer for the first ever Albanian entry in Eurovision – he joined Anjeza  Shahini in 2004 in Istanbul, where Albania has finished 7th.

We spoke to Klajdi about his song, his career, but also asked him for his views about Eurovision. Check out all of that and more in the following interview:

• Hi Klajdi! Thank you very much for taking your time out for doing this interview. First of all, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born on 10 April 1983 in the town of Gjirokastra, which is in southern Albania. When I was a child, it was always a dream of mine to become a singer. My music career started back in 2003 when I was second in “Friday Night Fever”, which is a talent show similar to Pop Idol or X Factor. After coming second, the Albanian public started to get to know me, and love me.

I won 2 awards in my career. First prize at the festival organized by the Albanian Public Television and Radio (RTSH) called Spring Festival (or songs of season, with the song “Puthja e pare” – The First Kiss) which was ranked first, and the second prize in Skopje (Macedonia) festival called Alabafest where I won the prize of the Best scenic act. I have participated in almost every festival in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.

So far I’ve released one album, two videoclips and have done many concerts here in Albania, but also outside Albania, including Kosovo and Macedonia. I currently work as a journalist at the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

• You were Anjeza Shahini’s backing singer in 2004. What memories does Eurovision in Istanbul bring back to you, and how was your whole Eurovision experience?

That was a magical moment for Albania for taking part for the first time in Eurovision, and even more for having a new talent representing us. Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul was magical because Albanians were almost at their home there, being that we have a good relation with the Turks. For me personally it was an unforgettable experience, which I would like to do again, but not as a back vocalist but now as a soloist.

• You have taken part in Festivali i Kenges 2010. How did you decide to come back, and try again this year?

Yes, I have participated in the festival in 2010 with a beautiful song, and now came back again to take part. I go on stage because of music, and singing is my first love, what I want and I do best, and this festival is where the entire Albanian public can see me and hear me again. This year I’ll try to be back in the hearts of those who always supported me and loved my music, and why not try and take my song in Eurovision.

• Can you tell us a little bit about your song, “Vetem te ti besoj”?

The lyrics of the song were written by a well known author in Albania, Jorgo Papingji, who expressed in the lyrics the best what I liked. The arrangements of this song were done by my friend, and a new talent called Lambert Jorganxhi. The three of us together are bringing you a story about first love. It is a story where everyone can find themselves and remember their first love, and with this song we want to rollback the time a little bit. In fact, the song would be better named “The First Love” but I was hurried and I named it “I Believe Only To You”.

• Was this song written especially for Festivali i Kenges, and Eurovision?

I have created the Albanian melody, Jeorgo has re-created a love story, and the song was written for all those who love beautiful music, beautiful stories, so not only for Albanians, but Europeans.

• How are you preparing yourself for Festivali i Kenges?

I’m ready to make a powerful scene, and to be between colleagues and friends. I wish that the best Albanian song will represent Albania in Eurovision, and I wish that it’s going to be me this year 😛 😀

• Have you already had some thoughts about how your performance is going to be on stage?

I have a song which speaks more to the words. A stage performance is not necessary because it is a saga. I have dubbed cartoons for 4 years, and I have “transformed” to the superhero Ben 10, but now I will just perform the magic of first love on the festival stage.

• What would representing Albania as a soloist mean to you?

Getting to represent Albania in Eurovision is a great honor, responsibility, and above all it’s a possibility to get glory and pride. For me it is one of the most important artistic moments where the soloist must outline, and I would do my best to represent the indicated values of my nation.

• Are you currently engaged in any other projects, apart from taking part in this festival?

At the moment I am totally focused only on the festival, and I’m looking forward to participating in it, to bring back something that is missing. And well apart from any prize if possible, I am in the search of the road to recover in the hearts of Albanians, and why not I even think about any experience outside my country.

• Are you a Eurovision fan, and have you got an all time favourite Eurovision song?

I follow Eurovision, and I can say that some of the songs I like the most are Tose Proeski’s “Life”, Alexander Rybak’s “Fairytale”, Sertab Erener’s “Everyway That I Can” and many others.

• Do you have a message for all your fans, and for all the readers of ESCBubble?

I don’t know if all the readers of ESCBubble know me, however I believe that once they have read this interview, they will look up my songs on Youtube, give me their feedback, and why not cheer for me in Festivali i Kenges.

Give a listen to “Puthja e pare”, the song which won Klajdi his first ever win in a festival: